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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kattazhagu Maamaa

From Thiripura Sundari · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thiripura Sundari
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
30 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kattazhagu maamaa
Onna thaanae katti kollalaamaa
Kanni thaenai vittu vaikkalaamaa
Nalla naeram nerungudhu maamaa
Aehae hae hae hae… ho ho ho…
Pachai vaazhai ilai podavaa
Pakkam vandhu parimaaravaa
Pachai vaazhai ilai podavaa
Kattil meedhu malar thoovavaa
Kannaal mella kadhai paesavaa
Sittaadai katti singaara kutti
Machaanin pon maarbilae mayangidalaamaa
Kattazhagu maamaa
Onna thaanae katti kollalaamaa
Kanni thaenai vittu vaikkalaamaa
Nalla naeram nerungudhu maamaa
Engal veedu arasaangamaa
Engum dheeba alangaaramaa
Engal veedu arasaangamaa
Ingae naanum magaraaniyaa
Ennai aala manavaalanaa
Oorellaam nindru paaraatta indru
Thaeraeri pogindra naal vandhadhu maamaa
Aaraari raaro… aaraari raaro…
Aaraari raaro… aaraari raaro…
Thottaal podhum medhuvaagavae
Thottil aadum azhagaagavae
Thottaal podhum medhuvaagavae
Machaan raasi suga raasi thaan
Mangai naanum magaraasi thaan
Ezhettu pillai mael ondrum illai
Aaraaro aaraariro paadanum maamaa
Kattazhagu maamaa
Onna thaanae katti kollalaamaa
Kanni thaenai vittu vaikkalaamaa
Nalla naeram nerungudhu maamaa
My handsome darling,
Can I marry only you?
Can you leave this youthful honey untouched?
The auspicious time is drawing near, my darling!
Aehey hey hey hey… ho ho ho…
Shall I lay out a green banana leaf?
Shall I come close and serve you?
Shall I lay out a green banana leaf?
Shall I scatter flowers across the bed?
Shall I speak sweet stories with my eyes?
Wearing a pretty dress, this charming girl,
Can I lose myself in bliss on my darling's golden chest?
My handsome darling,
Can I marry only you?
Can you leave this youthful honey untouched?
The auspicious time is drawing near, my darling!
Is our home a royal palace?
Decorated with glowing lamps everywhere?
Is our home a royal palace?
Am I the queen here?
Are you the bridegroom who has come to rule me?
With the whole town gathering to cheer us today,
The day has arrived to ride our wedding chariot, my darling!
Aarari raaro… aarari raaro…
Aarari raaro… aarari raaro…
A gentle touch is all it takes,
And the cradle will rock so beautifully!
A gentle touch is all it takes,
My darling brings nothing but happiness,
And I too am a blessed woman!
Seven or eight children, nothing more,
I will sing them sweet lullabies, my darling!
My handsome darling,
Can I marry only you?
Can you leave this youthful honey untouched?
The auspicious time is drawing near, my darling!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song depicts a young bride lovingly expressing her affection and romantic anticipation towards her groom ('maamaa'). She poetically compares her devotion to traditional hospitality, such as serving food on a fresh green banana leaf and decorating their home like a grand kingdom. She dreams of a happy married life filled with togetherness, prosperity, and raising a large family together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kanni thaenai vittu vaikkalaamaa

The term 'Kanni thaen' (virgin honey) is used as a metaphor for youthful beauty, charm, and innocence.

Emona / Initial Rhyme (Moonaai)

Pachai vaazhai ilai podavaa / Pakkam vandhu parimaaravaa

Repetition of the 'Pa' consonant sound at the start of adjacent words ('Pachai', 'Pakkam', 'Parimaaravaa').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Thottaal podhum medhuvaagavae / Thottil aadum azhagaagavae

The second consonant sound 't-t' matches across lines ('Thottaal' and 'Thottil').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were authored by Kannadasan for the 1978 movie Thiripura Sundari, composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It incorporates traditional Tamil cultural motifs like serving meals on banana leaves and singing classic lullaby refrains ('Aaraaro Aaraariro').

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